I'm grateful for...............

I have a little book that I try to write in on a regular basis. I open it up at the end of the day, and I write three things that I'm grateful for........................I don't write in it often enough, because every time I open it and read something from the past - I have wonderful memories of the big and little things that have made me smile that day!!

They include:-

* Fresh crisp clean sheets on the bed

* Making lamingtons with my boys

* The joy a painted face can bring!!

* The job I have, while many others I work with lost theirs

* For the amazing talent of Pink who I saw in concert

* To be able to have weekends away, instead of having an MCP of a husband!!!!

* For the simple beauty of nature

starstruck

Recently, our local Council put on a show that was held just behind our house - it was a 'Backyard Bonanza,' and it had two stages, 10 food stalls, 20 market stalls, rides for the kids (including the Lions club with their miniature steam trains,) and entertainment all day long. We went for a few hours and were lucky enough to see a world famous clown - Ronald McDonald!!! Hayden was up the front in the 'mosh pit' when Ronald asked for volunteers to help him with the actions for "head, shoulders, knees & toes" - and wouldn't you know it, those gorgeous blue eyes paid off yet again - he was up there, completely unshy, and showed everyone how you do it!!! Mark, Thomas and I were standing up in the background, proud as punch!!! He got a showbag for his efforts, with water bottle, hat and snap cards, and a great big smile that we loved to see!! He was in his element up on that stage - I wonder if he's going to follow in his mother's footsteps in that regard!?!!

My little busy nook

This is a picture of what my brain would look like if you could document it!! This is where I have all of my scrapping, craft, beading, painting & sewing projects, ready to go!!! I have everything documented, tagged & ready to be used when I find a few spare minutes.............problem is that I spend most of my organising myself, so in the end I run out of time!!! I think my secret fetish is the organisin, rather than the doing!!! I love seeing my end product, but I also love the feeling I get in my tummy when I think of a grand new idea!!! i have some beads ready to make a gorgeous one-off chadelier style light decoration, and I've just been to spotlight and collected some samples of gorgeous fabrics for making my own handbags - not that I have a clue where to start!! Mum has all of the sewing finesse in our family - I've already sent her my plans of us going into business together to make beautiful handbags and selling them for a mint in our own little shops!!! Now I just have to MAKE those bags and we'll be set for life!!!

I am already set for life - great balance of grown up time at work, kids time with my babies, and the odd kiss from my Snag hubby - I have been doing my affirmations, meditations and sun salutes - so am feeling very connected with the Universe at the moment - it's all good!!!!

Auskick - one of the certainty's in our life!!

Before Mark and I had even had kids, we knew that they would be joining Auskick - one of the perks of being married to Mr AFL!!!

Hayden really loves getting amongst the game - his skills get better every day, and he really enjoys going (he was upset when we had two weeks off during school holidays!!)

In two weeks time he will be making his national debut - he'll hopefully be running out for the Brisbane Lions & Kangaroos game during half time................you never know, you might be sitting down watching some half time entertainment, and then - whoa - who's that cute little guy there - he's the spitting image of a mate of mine!!!! That can't be Hayden can it!?!! LOL I'll be maing sure to tape the game that night - saving the video for prosterity!!!

Decorating 101

Last day of school holiday minding kids today - I go back to work tomorrow, and then Monday Hayds is going to vacation care - then back to school - yee har (of sorts!) to be back into a routine!!

Today we had the crazy cousins over - Emma, Bethany & Max - three gorgeous kids who get along like brothers and sisters for our lot - and we decided to decorate a cake for morning tea - mmm mmm!!! The concensus was for chocolate frosting - and each child took responsibility for a particular part of making the frosting (1 on icing, 1 on cocoa, 1 on milk, etc.) Well the final result was wonderful - and it was made even more succesful by the kids deciding to decorate the tops themselves. For five kids I thought this task would make a hell of a lot of noise - but I think it was the quietest I've heard so far!!! They were all meticulously adding choc bits, sprinkles, coconut & licorice allsorts to their masterpiece slices, and then devoured them with a lovely banana milkshake - compliments were flying around and smiles were infectious - it was one of those 'warm fuzzy' moments where theyall felt like they had free reign to do what they wanted, and I got to eat yummy cake!!!

All in all it was a great day - a bit windy and chilly outside, but the sun came out enough to keep us happy and not crying for a day in the park - good times had by all!!!!

My favourite waste of time

This is what happens at my house when I ask my youngest son to get dressed for the day!!! Obviously he plans on having a big day, with lots of adventures!!! I spose I'm lucky he had enough foresight to at least put undies on!!! LOL This little guy is surely going to break some hearts when he gets older - he already carries mine around and crushes it like a bug numerous times each day!!! Lucky he's cute I say!!!

So it's the last week of school holidays - and these are the days that I enjoy but also endure. I don't really get a chance to have time alone with Hayden on school holidays - mostly because I have other kids to looke after, because their parents have kindly offered to watch my kids, thus saving us a little bit of money by not taking them to vacation care....................I do love it when the others kids are here - they keep the kids busy and out of my hair so that I can do all the housely duties that seem to multiply on the days that I'm at work - but there is still that little piece inside of me that yearns to be able to have Hayden all to myself one day, much like the other days that I have with Thomas. I know all too soon that he'll be wanting me to drop him 10 houses down the street to go to parties, that he won't even acknowledge my presence if I see him with his friends at the shops, and of course there will be the day that he won't run up to me with glee when I collect him from whereever his adventurous day has taken him...............he'll never be this little agan, and I don't want to miss the fun parts cause I'm too busy being all grown up!!!
So I'm going to do what I can (instead of whining,) and put it out in the Universe - I would like to be able to have the best of both worlds - which I don't think is too much to ask!!! LOL

My new thing-to-do

So - I'm not sure if I have enough things to try and do with my life......................maybe I need something else to keep my mind racing!!!! That's why we bought an exercise bike!!! Safer than a treadmill for the kids (no it's not for them, we just lowered the seat so Hayds could sit on there!!) and I can be distracted with TV and get some exercise at the same time!!! I have GRAND plans to get on the bike at least 3 times a week (and I have a stepper which had the cobwebs dusted off a few weeks ago!!) because it's too cold to go outside at the moment, and it's a dangerous world on my bike!!! I'll save my bike for when the family go on outings on designated bike paths!! LOL

Things that are still on the go that I hope to be finished in the next few months:-

* Convert some old doors into day beds for our deck

* Knock out a wall in the kitchen and add a breakfast bar

* Have a Christmas in July with our family (our Christmas this year was filled with allergic reaction issues, so i'd love a do-over,)

* Update Haydens room, transfer it into a solar system

* Paint our bedroom to reflect the new colours I am having a crush on (browns and burgundys,)

* Update our bathroom downstairs, bringing it into the 21st century, without it costing the world

* Set up my pottery spot in the corner of the garage, and create wonderful masterpieces for an exhibition in September

* Create an unusually beautiful and individual lighting feature with these gorgeous beads that I got really cheap at Crazy Clarks!!!

That's just a few things off the top of my head - I could check my list (i have about 10 of them on the go at any one time,) but I don't want to look at all the other stuff that I haven't got to yet!!!

Flashback photo

This photo would have to be about 2 years old, at least!!! It was a night that we went out to the Norman Hotel for a steak with the family (can't remember what family, we've been there a few times!!!) but just seeing the photo gives me goose bumps...................how tiny and cute was Thomas!?!! He's still just as cute, t's different now because he can now talk back, and sometimes he uses his power for mischeivous evil rather than good!!!

And what can I say about my gorgeous husband!!! He is posing in the way that epitemises him all over - protective and so loving of his boys, but with that cheeky grin that gives nothing away!!!!!

Mark is away this week - he's in Fiji.............hard life for the high flyers of the world!!! I miss him a bit this week, as he's not well with a cold, all on his own and I haven't really seen him for a while. He was back for four days before he went on a boys trip, then off to Fiji. We have no big plans this weekend, but I'm hoping we'll be able to find a few hours for 'grown up time' - no I don't mean what you're thinking, I'm talking about dinner & a movie!!!!! We sometimes feel like ships in the night when he's away, almost like we're on different planets.............and then sometimes we have 'words' within an hour of being near each other again - it's definately true that absence makes the heart grow fonder - I just wish that I could let things go a little when he gets back, instead of stewing for a week on why he didn't put his socks in the washing basket!!!

Oh hang on............I remember now..............I'm a control freak!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well - bit of counselling might help - or maybe just some chocolate!!!!!